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Porthcawl got back to League action with this 70 point thriller on the road, a fine victory against a side that played above its’ current League position.

The pace of the match was set almost from the off, and when a searing break by centre Jon Phillips led to wing Jordan Fox taking the move on, irrepressible flanker Owen Thomas was stopped just short of the line after a 40 metre surge.

It was all Porthcawl in these opening stages and when fly half Ben Thomas kicked them in front with a penalty, it was no more than they deserved for nil-3.

The Seaweeds lost lock Will Robinson after just 15 minutes with Ben Asprea taking to the flanker position and Leon McNally moving to lock. The change didn’t seem to bother Porthcawl yet it was the home side that got back on terms when full-back Dominic Williams slotted a penalty and 3-apiece.

Indeed, Ystrad have a sharp edge to the attacking game and took the lead when centre Steff Jones strolled over wide out for a try as Porthcawl’s defence lapsed, with Williams kicking the extras and at 10-3 down the Seaweeds knew they were in for a very competitive afternoon.

The visitors were soon back on terms when scrum half Jack Robins who was a livewire all match for Porthcawl, tool a quick tap penalty, making ground before handing on to prop Jamie Uren, whose superb hands found fellow prop Matt Cooke in support and he in turn put Jordan Fox in at the corner for a super try, surpassed only by Ben Thomas’ outstanding conversion off touch and 10-all.

As half-time approached, another break and sublime pass by Phillips found Uren then Robins in support at the posts before Asprea got the final touch with a stretching try below the sticks, Thomas converting for 10-17 at the break.
Shortly afterwards, Thomas increased Porthcawl’s advantage as he slotted a nice penalty from 35 metres following another Owen Thomas surge and 10-20.

The Porthcawl backs had a very useful home backline to contend with and when Ystrad again stretched the Seaweeds defence, there was left wing Ryan Jones snatching back an unconverted try to bring the home side within 5 points at 15-20.
With Phillips off injured for Porthcawl, replaced by Jake Thomas, Ystrad again took the lead as home scrum-half Ethan Nicholls produced the run of the afternoon, over fully 50 metres, to score a fine try, converted by Williams and Porthcawl were again down at 22-20.

However, it wasn’t long before Porthcawl nosed in front again with another penalty from Ben Thomas for 22-23 before Seaweeds wing Jordan Skidmore, a real handful for the home side to contend with throughout the match, instigated a superb attacking move, finding the mercurial Ben Thomas on the break before he handed on to namesake Owen, who powered to the line for a magnificent try, goaled by Ben, and at 22-30 Porthcawl attained a position they were never to lose.

Williams pulled back an easy penalty for Ystrad and 25-30 before Fox collected his brace try for Porthcawl as he finished off another strong attack, diving over at the corner, with Thomas’ conversion hitting the post, 25-35.

A controversial turn then brought the home side back within 3 points at 32-35 as Referee Robert Hale awarded a penalty try against Porthcawl for apparently pulling down the scrum, leaving it finely balanced and a tense last two minutes of the match.
Come the final throws, Ben Thomas’ fourth penalty brought the curtain down at 32-38 to Porthcawl on the day, his personal tally of 18 points being as crucial as his outstanding performance overall.

With Porthcawl unbeaten this season on 22 league points and visitors Birchgrove topping the table unbeaten on 23, this Saturday’s showdown at South Road should be a cracker.